Scantlings

I've been working in the IT industry for over 20 years. It's been more than just a job. I love this crap.

But...

There are times when I sit back and imagine sailing/motoring out to the middle of the Atlantic and dropping my laptop into the ocean - mercury and all. Good riddance. A fond farewell to my IT heritage.

Then, I'll go down below and open the box of my new laptop.

Sorry it's weighing on you, Rick.

I feel the same way today--two papers soundly rejected yesterday, a big review coming up in two weeks, bureaucracy expanding, resources contracting, good people leaving. However, like you, I like what I do and any other marketable skills or connections I might have had are slipping away.

I would imagine myself sailing away, but that's scary too.

Dropping government equipment into unrecoverable places is an administrative nightmare and I'm sure as hell not tossing my personal laptop.

Orestes Munn wrote:
Dropping government equipment into unrecoverable places is an administrative nightmare and I'm sure as hell not tossing my personal laptop.

Perhaps you could task Beau's son to use it as part of a live-fire exercise to train the troops on how to disable laptops carried by enemy insurgents?

Tigger wrote:

Orestes Munn wrote:
Dropping government equipment into unrecoverable places is an administrative nightmare and I'm sure as hell not tossing my personal laptop.

Perhaps you could task Beau's son to use it as part of a live-fire exercise to train the troops on how to disable laptops carried by enemy insurgents?

The memorandum of understanding for that would go to the Secretarial level, involve two offices of general counsel, and take two years to approve. Then the USMC would have to fight our property people and I wouldn't make no bets on the outcome!

Orestes Munn wrote:Sorry it's weighing on you, Rick.

I feel the same way today--two papers soundly rejected yesterday, a big review coming up in two weeks, bureaucracy expanding, resources contracting, good people leaving. However, like you, I like what I do and any other marketable skills or connections I might have had are slipping away.

I would imagine myself sailing away, but that's scary too.

Dropping government equipment into unrecoverable places is an administrative nightmare and I'm sure as hell not tossing my personal laptop.

That was the nice thing about about command. Splash! Damn, another cell phone gone. "XO! Get me another phone".

Orestes Munn wrote:

Tigger wrote:

Orestes Munn wrote:
Dropping government equipment into unrecoverable places is an administrative nightmare and I'm sure as hell not tossing my personal laptop.

Perhaps you could task Beau's son to use it as part of a live-fire exercise to train the troops on how to disable laptops carried by enemy insurgents?

The memorandum of understanding for that would go to the Secretarial level, involve two offices of general counsel, and take two years to approve. Then the USMC would have to fight our property people and I wouldn't make no bets on the outcome!

While my Son would never do this, I think there are times when the New Jersey approach is the right one. "Hey, that laptop had a little accident. Na, I couldn'ta helped it. Sure, I tried to save it. What, yousgodabekiddn', no way I dropped in on porpose. I dropped it entirely accidentally."

LarryHoward wrote:

That was the nice thing about about command. Splash! Damn, another cell phone gone. "XO! Get me another phone".

The new one is no problem. It's all the memos about the old one and where and how and did IT do a remote wipe so the criminal crabs can't read it and get their claws on all our secrets?

I kind of hate to admit I have dropped two cell phones into the water, deep water.......but they were the old fashion dumb phones. But that did not keep the IT department (which includes Derek's brother Brent) from really having fun with the bosses clumsiness!

I am really careful with the fancy smart iPhone5 they gave me last year.....after all it is now the readout for my new nema 2000 backbone depth sounder.

kimbottles wrote:I kind of hate to admit I have dropped two cell phones into the water, deep water.......but they were the old fashion dumb phones. But that did not keep the IT department (which includes Derek's brother Brent) from really having fun with the bosses clumsiness!

I am really careful with the fancy smart iPhone5 they gave me last year.....after all it is now the readout for my new nema 2000 backbone depth sounder.

I drowned three Blackberries at the dock (recovered one, dead--Slick470 was there, as I recall) before I got smart enough to stop wearing them on my belt. I switched to iPhones after the last one and always put them in a bag or a secure pocket now. So far, so good, the last five years.

I took a guy and his buddy daysailing out of St John ages ago when cell phones were fairly new. Coverage was pretty spotty. The guy was a real character and was celebrating his recent (oending?) divorce. He had been on quite a bing and had arrived in the Islands via Mexico where he had invested heavily in over the counter oxycontin. They and cell phones were a bit of a novelty in St John at the time. While still in the coverage of the St Thomas cell towers he got a call from his soon to be ex and he and she got into a yelling match. He climbed up on the boom but reception was fading and he kept asking her where she had gotten his cell number as it was a brand new account. He gave his friend a look that would kill and it was obvious his buddy had sold him out as to the phone number. The guy told his ex that she would never get his next number as he was getting a new account and service provider. He screamed one last time at her, "And my new service provider is NORTH ATLANTIC!" whereupon he threw the phone as far as he could into the ocean!

Rasp wrote:I took a guy and his buddy daysailing out of St John ages ago when cell phones were fairly new. Coverage was pretty spotty. The guy was a real character and was celebrating his recent (oending?) divorce. He had been on quite a bing and had arrived in the Islands via Mexico where he had invested heavily in over the counter oxycontin. They and cell phones were a bit of a novelty in St John at the time. While still in the coverage of the St Thomas cell towers he got a call from his soon to be ex and he and she got into a yelling match. He climbed up on the boom but reception was fading and he kept asking her where she had gotten his cell number as it was a brand new account. He gave his friend a look that would kill and it was obvious his buddy had sold him out as to the phone number. The guy told his ex that she would never get his next number as he was getting a new account and service provider. He screamed one last time at her, "And my new service provider is NORTH ATLANTIC!" whereupon he threw the phone as far as he could into the ocean!

Kind of makes me glad I got lucky the first time and have been with SWMBO since I was 19.........

Sorry it's got you down Rick, things'll get better.

And I'm with you on the joy of a happy marriage,Kim. I'm spending a few days on the Riverwalk in SA with the girl I've been with since she was 19, i really out punted my coverage when I got her.

The kid are doing ok so far in the robotics tournament, but it's early still. There're a couple of thousand wonderful young geeks in the convention center, very big tournament, this country still churns some truly great kids.

Rob McAlpine wrote:Sorry it's got you down Rick, things'll get better.

And I'm with you on the joy of a happy marriage,Kim. I'm spending a few days on the Riverwalk in SA with the girl I've been with since she was 19, i really out punted my coverage when I got her.

The kid are doing ok so far in the robotics tournament, but it's early still. There're a couple of thousand wonderful young geeks in the convention center, very big tournament, this country still churns some truly great kids.

Elite students in this country are as good as they ever were and there are more of them in absolute, if not relative, terms.

I'm currently going through applications for summer internships and it's just heartbreaking how great these kids are. I tend to take one tippy top and one from the second drawer and let the stronger one pull the other one up. I wish I could take weaker kids, too, but the environment is too intense. I try and spend 90 min a week drinking coffee and bullshitting with them. It's the highlight of my year.

Orestes Munn wrote:I drowned three Blackberries at the dock (recovered one, dead--Slick470 was there, as I recall) before I got smart enough to stop wearing them on my belt. I switched to iPhones after the last one and always put them in a bag or a secure pocket now. So far, so good, the last five years.

I remember that. I have pictures even...

Back when I was an intern for a construction general contractor I had a superintendent who had a habit of putting his phones in his front shirt pocket. He'd then lean over and it would fall out, usually into wet concrete. This killed a number of phones until the head office decided to give him a phone he couldn't fit into his shirt pocket. They gave him one of these:


On the topic of the thread. My company has been through a bunch of upheaval over the past 18 months. I keep kicking myself for not getting out when the getting was good. Now I fee like I need to stay and help pull things back together. I have taken on extra responsibilities and added stress and I'm not currently being compensated for any of it. I understand why not, and when things improve I expect to be, but it doesn't make it any easier to slog through it now. I also have an ongoing house renovation that will not end. It was 13 degrees at the house this morning. I'm tired of winter. A long sailing vacation right about now would be nice. Cut the lines.

Truth be told, it would be a lot like Bilbo giving up the ring. There have been times when I've been without a computer for weeks at a time. Didn't really notice it as I was preoccupied with whatever it was we were doing (road trip, sailing, boundary waters, etc). But that feeling when I get back to the rig, fire it up, and smell the silicon warming up....it's like a drug.

Case in point...when I was looking at electronics for Soñadora, I contemplated taking the old-school route with strictly analog gear. Vintage analog gear - the old round Standard Horizon stuff. I managed to track down fairly nice depth guage and speed guage. But I ultimately caved and went NMEA. I had a blast installing all this stuff and it was very satisfying.

So, while I find comfort in imagining getting rid of this stuff forever, I probably won't.

Soñadora wrote:Truth be told, it would be a lot like Bilbo giving up the ring. There have been times when I've been without a computer for weeks at a time. Didn't really notice it as I was preoccupied with whatever it was we were doing (road trip, sailing, boundary waters, etc). But that feeling when I get back to the rig, fire it up, and smell the silicon warming up....it's like a drug.

Case in point...when I was looking at electronics for Soñadora, I contemplated taking the old-school route with strictly analog gear. Vintage analog gear - the old round Standard Horizon stuff. I managed to track down fairly nice depth guage and speed guage. But I ultimately caved and went NMEA. I had a blast installing all this stuff and it was very satisfying.

So, while I find comfort in imagining getting rid of this stuff forever, I probably won't.

Rick, I'm right there with you! I love the technology and was always getting into trouble by hiding out in the Lab when I was supposed to be talking to shareholders! Consider my current approach, you might like it. Make all the electronics disappear into something that looks totally OLD SCHOOL. I have literally been trying to design an actuator for a knot meter that is off a taff rail log - all bronze with a silver plated white face gauge and a big brass needle. No reason this electronics has to "look modern" so long as it works well.

"Hi, I'm Beau and I'm a recovering electronihaulic."

BV

Well, I just got the "hey we really liked you but you didn't get the job" email for what feels like the billionth time. Really getting frustrated with the predicament I am in of having a degree (and an advanced one at that) but no in-field job experience. So I don't get hired but I can't get any experience without a job!!! Plus my current job, which is alternately extremely boring and frustrating, was super frustrating this week. It would have felt really good to turn in a resignation letter!!

Brooke wrote:Well, I just got the "hey we really liked you but you didn't get the job" email for what feels like the billionth time. Really getting frustrated with the predicament I am in of having a degree (and an advanced one at that) but no in-field job experience. So I don't get hired but I can't get any experience without a job!!! Plus my current job, which is alternately extremely boring and frustrating, was super frustrating this week. It would have felt really good to turn in a resignation letter!!

Brooke, sorry to hear that. One of my sons has a similar situation and it's driving him nuts. I can feel your pain. Best of luck! Beau

Brooke wrote:Well, I just got the "hey we really liked you but you didn't get the job" email for what feels like the billionth time. Really getting frustrated with the predicament I am in of having a degree (and an advanced one at that) but no in-field job experience. So I don't get hired but I can't get any experience without a job!!! Plus my current job, which is alternately extremely boring and frustrating, was super frustrating this week. It would have felt really good to turn in a resignation letter!!

I know a guy who once said, let me work for free for a week and then you can decide if you want to keep me and pay me. They kept him: and his name is Bob Perry.

Give it a try, it might break the ice for one of those people who doesn't want to chance someone with no experience, you know they will love you well before the week ends. We all love you so they will for sure!

Kim

kimbottles wrote:

Brooke wrote:Well, I just got the "hey we really liked you but you didn't get the job" email for what feels like the billionth time. Really getting frustrated with the predicament I am in of having a degree (and an advanced one at that) but no in-field job experience. So I don't get hired but I can't get any experience without a job!!! Plus my current job, which is alternately extremely boring and frustrating, was super frustrating this week. It would have felt really good to turn in a resignation letter!!

I know a guy who once said, let me work for free for a week and then you can decide if you want to keep me and pay me. They kept him: and his name is Bob Perry.

Give it a try, it might break the ice for one of those people who doesn't want to chance someone with no experience, you know they will love you well before the week ends. We all love you so they will for sure!

Kim

I have thought about this since I read it. It's an intriguing suggestion. I would far rather work with someone who is "new", keen and hard working, than somone who is experienced, but is lazy or has a poor attitude. As Kim says, maybe if you had an opportunity to work for a short period for free, that would give them time to realize your potential and how much you have to offer.

Brooke, sorry to hear that things are frustrating for you right now. Do not become too disheartened. Believe in yourself. Do not be shy about selling yourself, although this can be outside a comfort zone for many. When I first graduated (decades ago), the job market was weak and no full time jobs were available. It can be such an ongoing roller coaster of supply and demand in some fields. You are in good company with many intelligent, well educated and keen folks out there, searching for work in their respective fields.

My nephew is in his third year of university studying Engineering. They have a Co-op program which is fantastic as it gives them time spent working with various companies, interspersed with months of classes. They end up with suitable networks for job opportunites, education and work experience. I think this is an excellent idea and more disciplines should support and offer it.

Rick, hang in there friend. The tough days make us really appreciate the ones when everything seems to go much better than planned or hoped.

Brook - It is frustrating, but you only need one yes to your applications. Taxi jobs are rarely wonderful, but most dream jobs have those difficult spells. You might try the information interview approach to get access and expand your contacts. Most folks have 15 minutes for an interested candidate. And a lot of jobs go to someone who knows someone. Take it a day at a time and enjoy that fine PH cruiser. Pat

I don't know if Brooke is looking for an research job, but it's unbelievably tough these days with the implosion of finding and escalating costs. Brooke, I do hope it works out for you sooner or later. At least you're young. Enjoy it. We may be successful, but we're ugly and stiff and were going to die soon.

Orestes Munn wrote:I don't know if Brooke is looking for an research job, but it's unbelievably tough these days with the implosion of finding and escalating costs. Brooke, I do hope it works out for you sooner or later. At least you're young. Enjoy it. We may be successful, but we're ugly and stiff and were going to die soon.

OM, I am getting so old that I stopped buying green bananas.

Ugly and stiff was good for Ron Jeremy.

Ish wrote:Ugly and stiff was good for Ron Jeremy.

Ark Ark ARk ARK!!

Lin wrote:

Orestes Munn wrote:I don't know if Brooke is looking for an research job, but it's unbelievably tough these days with the implosion of finding and escalating costs. Brooke, I do hope it works out for you sooner or later. At least you're young. Enjoy it. We may be successful, but we're ugly and stiff and were going to die soon.

OM, I am getting so old that I stopped buying green bananas.

Beer by the six.

Ish wrote:Ugly and stiff was good for Ron Jeremy.

Not working for me at all.

Brooke, you may need to stoop very low and take a job in IT.

To be honest, we can't find ANYONE. We're at a point where, if you can spell 'IT' we'll take you. We actually had a seminar on interviewing that focused on the fact that we need to pretty much bend over backwards to make candidates feel loved.

I have a vague recollection that you have some kind of science-y degree thingy. You should have a look at Cargill. Most likely something close by you that could use your expertise.

Soñadora wrote:Brooke, you may need to stoop very low and take a job in IT.

To be honest, we can't find ANYONE. We're at a point where, if you can spell 'IT' we'll take you. We actually had a seminar on interviewing that focused on the fact that we need to pretty much bend over backwards to make candidates feel loved.

I have a vague recollection that you have some kind of science-y degree thingy. You should have a look at Cargill. Most likely something close by you that could use your expertise.

Brooke, I ended up in the Tech industry because NO ONE will hire someone with a BA in Philosophy! Period!! So, I had to find a labor market that was exactly like what Sons is describing about his company. If you had a pulse in 1973 in Si-Valley and would work diligently to try and program, you were a "programmer". I'm not sure exactly what Sons is talking about in IT, but I do know a demand when I hear one and it seems there is a demand there. Clearly, not your first choice. But as I said to my X-Wife: "This programming stuff is a LOT easier than scraping the growth off the bottom of sailboats."

In retrospect...when we were getting the photolab off the ground, my partner was constanly harping at me about wasting all my time helping people get their computers working. If I was smart, I would have taken that as a cue.